Author

Abstract

The molybdenum complexes of Schiff base ligands viz. [MoO2LH2O] where L1 = tris(hydroxymethyl)(salicylide-neamino)methane, L2 = tris(hydroxymethyl)(2,3-dihydroxybenzylideneamino)methane and L3 = tris(hydroxymethyl)(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzylideneamino)methane have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex [MoO2L1H2O] reveals a distorted octahedral geometry with one ligand and a water molecule coordinated to the MoO2 center. No previous complex of this type contains a coordinated water molecule. The complex undergoes an oxotransfer in the presence of Bu3P to form a -oxobridged molybdenum(V,V) dimer. This rules out Mo—S coordination as a prerequisite for oxotransfer in such molybdenum(VI) complexes.